Asked on Oct 07, 2018

How to re-tile shower floor?

Lendy Counts
by Lendy Counts

icon The tiles are coming off the floor of this shower floor. It was built in the ‘70’s. I really would like to replace so it can be SCRUBBED REALLY GOOD! How difficult would this be to accomplish? What would be the best type of tile to use?

  9 answers
  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 07, 2018

    Yes, this shower is long overdue for some major restoration. Just based on the degree of deterioration that shows in the picture, I am wondering if the foundation under the tiles has already sustained water damage.


    If so, all the old materials will first need to be completely removed, which will be a much larger job than simply re-applying new tiles. Keep in mind though, that going with a square drain cover (rather than round) will facilitate cutting of the tiles to fit.

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on Oct 07, 2018

    Looks like U have a big problem likethe walls closest to the floor. Do the green tiles flex any or loose ? Size tile maybe 12x12 with some grit to prevent slipping. Or get an estimate.

  • William William on Oct 07, 2018

    Looks like the tiles are in a concrete subfloor. That's the way it was done back then. You would need to remove the floor tiles. If the wall tiles are loose remove the first course of wall tile. If they are stuck on good and just dirty clean them up. Let everything dry out. Use a self leveling concrete compound on the floor making sure it slopes down towards the drain. Use similar mosaic tiles in sheets on the floor. If you had to remove the wall tiles use the mosaic tiles on the wall.

    • Lendy Counts Lendy Counts on Oct 07, 2018

      Yes, this bathroom is in my basement laundry room. It was square with a edge built up so water would go in the drain. Before this, my parents had a metal shower that sat in the middle and before that just a shower curtain around. House was built in the 1950’s.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Oct 07, 2018

    I'm not sure that you can save that shower. It looks like water has been an issue for a while. Like what was suggested, check to make sure the wall behind the green tiles hasn't been damaged. If it has, you might have to redo the whole shower. If you have to replace wall tiles, get bigger tiles, that means less grout lines to have to clean. Check the pan and make sure that's still in good shape. There are a lot of tiles for the floor, just make sure that it does say that it can be used on shower floors. Shop online, there is a huge selection, You only need a small amount so it shouldn't be to expensive.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 07, 2018

    I'd get some contractors out for pricing (they can vary SO much you want at least 3 if you can). There's mold in there, so it looks like a total gut job. But it isn't very large, so unless you plan on moving pipes around, you may be very surprised at how much it will cost for a brand new shower.

  • Rose Broadway Rose Broadway on Oct 07, 2018

    Lendy, this is what I would do if that was my shower. These one piece floors are so easy to keep clean. Make sure you have a good foundation under it. By that I mean make sure you don't have any floor that has rotted from the water.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po4UFoTbhG0

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Oct 07, 2018

    Lendy: the mold is troubling. This is a job for a professional... you need the drain floor re-leveled. Don't skimp! ...this is your health!

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Oct 08, 2018

    Scrap up all tile and concrete and grout clean very well you need some thin set down first then tile adhesive then lay tile let dry one day then grout then seal with silicone after completely dry

  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 08, 2024

    Hi Lendy, I would remove any loose tiles and fille the voids with a filler like drywall compound. Then i would put a treated plywood base over it, carefully cutting out the drain hole. Seal around the drain hole really well and prep to tile the new floor.